Pattaya: Thailand's Sattaya Supupramai faltered with a final-hole bogey to let Terry Pilkadaris of Australia claim a share of the lead at the US$750,000 King's Cup yesterday.
Starting the second round with a two-shot advantage, local hopeful Sattaya carded a 70 to end the day tied with Pilkadaris (67) on seven-under 133 at the par-70 Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.
Seeking his maiden title on the Asian Tour, the 32-year-old Sattaya, who started from the 10th hole, turned at 33 with two birdies but then dropped a shot each on the second and fifth. He fought back with a birdie on the sixth before bogeying the ninth for the second straight day.
"I made a bogey at the same hole yesterday, but it is a difficult one," said Sattaya. "It is a tough course as well tough I have practised here many times."
However, the Thai was relieved that he "handled the pressure better this time after taking the lead in the first round".
Joachim Hansen (67) of Denmark made two late bogeys to stay one shot behind the leaders.
Starting at the 10th, Hansen, who made a first-round 67, fired four birdies on the first five holes but dropped a shot on the fourth.
He recovered immediately with two straight birdies but these were cancelled out by the bogeys he picked up on the seventh and ninth.
Natipong Srithong (69), Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan (66), Sutijet Kooratanaisan (68) and Jaco Ahlers of South Africa (68) share fourth spot on five-under 135.
Danthai Boonma, seeking his second Asian Tour title after winning one in Singapore last year, carded his second 68 in a row for a four-under 136 total.
Joining Danthai in the crowded eighth place were Italy's Francesco Laporta (71), Sweden's Johan Edfors (68), Luckas Nemecz (66) of Austria, Scott Barr (68) of Australia and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananon (70) and Phachara Khongwatmai (65).
Defending champion and 18-time Asian Tour winner Thaworn Wiratchant and South African Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters champion, failed to qualify for the weekend round.
The King's Cup is also co-sanctioned by European Tour.